Manchester United breakthrough for double defensive swoop

Manchester United are on the cusp of signing Real Madrid's Raphael Varane and Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier in a deal worth a combined £68m, claims The Sun.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants both players to help complete a stunning overhaul of United's defensive options and the Red Devils are now closing in on both.

Varane has entered the final year of his current Madrid deal and the Spanish giants want to cash in this summer rather than lose him for nothing next year.

United have reportedly agreed personal terms with the France international on a five-year deal as Solskjaer looks to find a world-class partner for captain Harry Maguire.

Solskjaer is also keen to sign another right-back to push Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the same way Alex Telles helped improved Luke Shaw last season.

Neither Diogo Dalot nor Brandon Williams feature in Solskjaer's long-term vision for United and a breakthrough has reportedly been made in signing Trippier from Atletico.

United were initially only willing to pay £10m for the England international, who has also entered the final year of his contract, while Atletico were holding out for his full €42m release clause.

Trippier is set on returning to England this summer after winning La Liga last term in his second season at Atletico.

Other Premier League clubs were interested in Trippier but the player's preference has always been to join United and they have reportedly found a compromise in talks for a £18m deal.

Trippier finished the 2020/21 campaign in our La Liga team of the season as the highest WhoScored rated right-back (7.20). Moreover, Trippier had the best cross accuracy of all full-backs in Europe's top 5 leagues last season (32.4%).